Latest news with #Spectrum
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Jeanie Buss Escapes Big Lakers Crisis After $10 Billion Sale
Jeanie Buss Escapes Big Lakers Crisis After $10 Billion Sale originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buss family — owners of the Los Angeles Lakers since the late Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the team in 1979 — has agreed to sell its majority stake in the franchise at a record $10 billion valuation, making this the most expensive sale of a U.S. professional sports team to date. Advertisement The deal was led by Jeanie Buss, Jerry's daughter, who originally acquired the Lakers, the Kings and The Forum for just $67.5 million. The buyer is Mark Walter, CEO of Guggenheim Partners and TWG Global. Already a minority owner since acquiring approximately 20-27% in 2021 (alongside Todd Boehly), Walter exercised his right of first refusal to purchase the Buss family's controlling interest. As part of the deal, current team governor Jeanie Buss intends to remain as team governor, although it is unclear exactly how much additional equity Walter will acquire. Under NBA rules, a team governor must hold at least a 15% stake in the franchise. Former LA Lakers team owner Jeanie BussJayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports As team governor, she will continue to benefit from the Lakers' current local television deal with Spectrum that runs through 2032. During a recent episode of "The Hoop Collective," veteran insiders Brian Windhorst, Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon addressed the significance of this television deal. Advertisement 'For the Lakers, that local television deal is why the Buss family could exist and why they could operate the team,' Bontemps said. The Spectrum agreement paid the Lakers $184.7 million this season, with incremental increases through 2032. For comparison, the Boston Celtics' local TV deal with NBC Sports Boston is reportedly worth just $53.97 million for the upcoming season. 'The Lakers' primary source of income is their local TV deal,' Windhorst added. While the Spectrum contract secures the team financially for now, the future remains uncertain amid declining NBA TV viewership and the collapse of many regional sports networks (RSNs). Advertisement 'As the RSNs, the regional sports networks across the country have all fallen off, yes, the Spectrum deal is still in place with the Lakers and with the Dodgers, ironically, I believe," Bontemps continued. "But at some point, paying an exorbitant number even for Laker games, that's gonna run out." Had Jeanie Buss stayed the majority owner, she might have faced the brunt of criticism amid the team's potential financial crisis. But the sale might prove genius in saving her family from future embarrassment. Related: Big Hunter Dickinson News Emerges Before NBA Draft This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Rispana-Bindal road projects: Concerns grow over environmental impact, lack of rehab plan
Dehradun: Concerns over the Rs 6,500 crore Rispana-Bindal elevated road project, which is touted as a 'solution to Doon's traffic woes' have intensified with several stakeholders, including residents, activists, and thousands of slum dwellers who may be displaced, expressing apprehension regarding the proposed 26-km elevated corridor, planned over the Rispana and Bindal riverbeds, aims to ease city traffic and offer a quicker route to Mussoorie. But activists claim it may cause irreversible ecological damage and permanently alter Dehradun's skyline. On Tuesday, the Dehradun Citizens Forum hosted a Town Hall Meet on the project at The Doon Library & Research Centre. The session featured a presentation by PWD engineer Jitendra Tripathi and consultancy firm Spectrum. Attended by over 100 professionals from diverse fields, the event saw strong calls for the immediate public release of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and an inclusive cost-benefit analysis. Participants also urged that river rejuvenation efforts proceed independently of the corridor project. Officials said detailed project reports (DPRs) have been prepared and submitted to the state govt for approval. The criticism about the project centres on two fronts -- environmentalists fear the project will severely impact the Doon valley's ecology, while social activists warn of the large-scale displacement of residents once construction begins. The project also contradicts previous claims by the state govt to rejuvenate the rivers. Activists fear that such a large-scale infrastructure undertaking will leave no scope for restoration and could mark the end of these rivers. They are demanding transparency, environmental safeguards, and clear rehabilitation policies before work starts on the elevated road network. "There is both curiosity and concern among residents across Dehradun about the elevated roads being built over the fragile riverbeds of Rispana and Bindal," said social activist Anoop Nautiyal. "With pillars up to 15 metres high, this corridor risks permanently changing the city's ecological fabric. We're demanding that the Environmental Impact Assessment report be made public so that citizens can engage meaningfully and assess the true costs." Activists also called for public involvement in planning major infrastructure projects, especially those that claim to serve public interest. "There is often a stark contrast between govt claims and ground realities," said Manoj Dewaria, a resident of Kanwali Road. "They say it's to ease traffic, but what about the thousands of families whose future now hangs in the balance? There's been no talk of compensation or rehabilitation. What kind of public policy is this?" With project details still unclear, activists have filed several RTIs, but responses have been vague. One such reply from the PWD, accessed by TOI, stated: "In light of increasing traffic pressure in Dehradun and unavailability of space for road widening, the construction of the Rispana-Bindal elevated corridor is proposed. This will provide relief from traffic congestion in Dehradun. The project is under process and until its completion, specific details cannot be provided. "
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
AT&T & Charter: Which Stock is a Smart Investment Right Now?
AT&T Inc. T and Charter Communications CHTR are major players in the fiber broadband industry. Operating as one of the largest wireless service providers in North America, AT&T offers a vast array of communication and business solutions that include wireless, local exchange, long-distance, data/broadband and Internet, video, managed networking, wholesale and cloud-based is the second largest cable operator in the United States and a leading broadband communications company providing video, Internet and voice services. The company served approximately 30.1 million customers in 41 states through its Spectrum deep industry expertise, both AT&T and Charter are strategically positioned in the highly competitive U.S. telecommunications landscape. Let us analyze in depth the competitive strengths and weaknesses of the companies to understand who is in a better position to maximize gains from the emerging market trends. AT&T is benefiting from growing demand in its fiber network business. In the first quarter of 2025, AT&T added 261,000 fiber customers. The company's fiber broadband recently reached 30 million consumer and business locations across the United States. AT&T's extensive fiber network has become a major driver for innovation across several industries over the years. Its symmetrical download and upload speed, combined with fast Internet, effectively supports high bandwidth-intensive applications. AT&T fiber offerings also include multi-gig speeds up to 5 Gbps in some selected company is steadily expanding its network coverage with a strong emphasis on high-density markets where demand for ultra-high-speed Internet is strong. The company is set to acquire Lumen's Mass Markets fiber Internet connectivity business for $5.75 billion. Following the completion of the buyout, AT&T will gain access to Lumen's comprehensive fiber construction capabilities, which will help the company accelerate fiber expansion beyond its traditional wireline region. The company will gain Lumen's vast customer base, totaling around 1 million across 4 million fiber locations spanning 11 U.S. states. This will boost the availability of AT&T fiber in major metro areas including Denver, Las Vegas, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City and Seattle. The initiative is a major leap toward achieving a long-term target of reaching 60 million fiber locations by a customer-focused business model, AT&T is witnessing solid traction in its postpaid wireless business with a lower churn rate and increased adoption of higher-tier unlimited plans. In the first quarter of 2025, AT&T recorded 324,000 postpaid wireless phone additions with a postpaid churn of 0.83%. The company has been steadily expanding its 5G coverage. Its 5G with low band spectrum is available to 315+ million people in more than 26,200 cities in the United States, while AT&T 5G+, powered by mid band spectrum, is available to 280 million AT&T operates in a highly competitive market. In the fiber network business, T faces stiff competition from Verizon Communications Inc. VZ and Charter. The company's wireline division is struggling with persistent losses in access lines as a result of competitive pressure from voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) service providers and aggressive triple-play (voice, data, video) offerings by the cable companies. At the end of the first quarter, the company had a current ratio of 0.7 and a cash ratio of 0.14. It indicates that it may face challenges in meeting short-term debt obligations. Charter's high-capacity, two-way telecommunications network passes through 57 million households and small and medium businesses across the United States. Unlike its competitors, AT&T and Verizon, Charter offers 1 Gbps speed across its 100% footprint. Moreover, the company is planning to enhance its network infrastructure to offer symmetrical and multi-gig speeds across its entire footprint over the next three years at a lower company is one of the largest and fastest-growing rural Internet providers in the country. Charter is committed to investing $7 billion to add 100,000+ miles of fiber-optic network infrastructure. The goal is to deliver symmetrical and multi-gigabit Internet services across 1.7 million locations. Such a fiber network infrastructure initiative will be a game changer for industries operating in rural spaces and significantly boost Charter's customer Spectrum Mobile has expanded 5G coverage nationwide. In the first quarter of 2025, Charter added 514 thousand total mobile lines compared with 486 thousand in the year-ago quarter. As of March 31, 2025, the company served 10.4 million mobile lines. Charter's Spectrum One continues to win market share with its differentiated offerings like Mobile Speed Boost and Spectrum Mobile Network. Moreover, following its merger with Cox, Charter is set to gain Cox's extensive commercial fiber assets and managed IT and cloud businesses. The acquisition will strengthen Charter's competitive position in the mobile and broadband communications Charter faces triple play competition, consisting of wireline multichannel video, wireline Internet, and wireline voice service, from three primary competitors, AT&T, Frontier and Verizon. Verizon is set to acquire Frontier in a $20 billion deal to accelerate its fiber broadband expansion nationwide. Owing to the limited overlap of Verizon and Frontier's footprints, the deal will not reduce competition in the market. The company's current ratio stands at 0.36, while the debt-to-cap ratio is 82.2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Charter's 2025 sales and EPS implies year-over-year growth of 0.33% and 13.07%, respectively. The EPS estimates have been trending upward over the past 60 days. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AT&T's 2025 sales indicates growth of 1.57% year over year, while EPS is projected to decline 8.41%. The EPS estimates have been trending southward over the past 60 days. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Over the past year, AT&T has gained 54.6%, while CHTR has returned 36.1%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research CHTR looks more attractive than AT&T from a valuation standpoint. Going by the price/earnings ratio, CHTR's shares currently trade at 8.97 forward earnings, lower than 13.02 for AT&T. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Charter and AT&T carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) each. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks has shown steady revenue growth over the past few years, while AT&T has been facing a bumpy road. Healthy momentum in the postpaid business, network modernization and efforts to boost operational efficiency are positives for AT&T. However, declining wireline customers and stiff competition are major headwinds for the company. Upward estimate revisions underscore bullish investor sentiment for Charter's stock. With an aggressive fiber expansion strategy and attractive valuation metrics, Charter appears to be a better investment option. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report AT&T Inc. (T) : Free Stock Analysis Report Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) : Free Stock Analysis Report Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
CNET
3 days ago
- CNET
DOCSIS 3.0 vs. 3.1 vs. 4.0: What Are the Differences?
If you have cable internet, then you're using DOCSIS technology. DOCSIS, which stands for Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications, is a standard that defines how your modem relays cable internet signals going to and from your home. If you have cable internet, whether from Cox, Spectrum, Xfinity or one of many regional cable internet providers like Armstrong, you're using a DOCSIS-compliant modem. The DOCSIS 4.0 cable modem is ideal since it produces faster upload speeds. But while specifications for DOCSIS 4.0 have been released, DOCSIS 4.0 modems aren't yet widely available for retail purchase. So that means that if you're shopping for a new cable internet modem, you'll likely only have the choice of DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1. As the numbers suggest, the two modem versions are similar, but we recommend opting for DOCSIS 3.1 while you wait for a new 4.0 modem. Modern cable modems are compliant with DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1, with more and more internet service providers recommending DOCSIS 3.1 modems. Which Router Upgrade Is Right for You? Which Router Upgrade Is Right for You? Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 9:01 Loaded : 3.34% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 9:01 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Which Router Upgrade Is Right for You? DOCSIS 3.0 vs. 3.1 vs. 4.0: What are the differences? DOCSIS is the standard cable modems use to move data. Dong Ngo/CNET Despite the simple one-tenth difference in versions, DOCSIS 3.0 and 3.1 modems vary significantly in performance, pricing and availability. DOCSIS 4.0 would imply a bigger jump in performance, but the improvement largely has to do with upstream capacity. Here's a quick look at the advantages of each. DOCSIS 3.0 modem advantages Price : DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems are generally cheaper than their 3.1 counterparts. : DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems are generally cheaper than their 3.1 counterparts. Availability: You're likely to have more options, including used or refurbished devices, when shopping for a DOCSIS 3.0 modem. DOCSIS 3.1 modem advantages Speed : DOCSIS 3.1 cable modems support faster speeds than DOCSIS 3.0 modems and are thus better suited for high-speed plans, especially those with gig speeds or higher. : DOCSIS 3.1 cable modems support faster speeds than DOCSIS 3.0 modems and are thus better suited for high-speed plans, especially those with gig speeds or higher. Security: DOCSIS 3.1 modems may offer better online security than 3.0 models, especially if you purchase a modem-router combo device. DOCSIS 4.0 modem advantages Upload speeds : DOCSIS 4.0 is designed to "significantly increase upstream capacity," according to CableLabs, the organization that sets and tests DOCSIS specifications. : DOCSIS 4.0 is designed to "significantly increase upstream capacity," according to CableLabs, the organization that sets and tests DOCSIS specifications. Future proof: DOCSIS 3.1 is the current standard, but 3.0 is still in use, nearly two decades after its introduction in 2006. It's safe to assume that 4.0 modems will be useful for many years to come. DOCSIS 3.0, 3.1 and 4.0 specifications Device Max download speed Max upload speed Price range Specification issued DOCSIS 3.0 1Gbps 100Mbps $50-$150 2006 DOCSIS 3.1 10Gbps 1Gbps $150-$250 2013 DOCSIS 4.0 10Gbps 6Gbps N/A 2019 Show more (0 item) Shop providers at my address The most significant difference between DOCSIS 3.0 and 3.1 is that the latter can support download speeds 10 times faster than DOCSIS 3.0, up to 10Gbps. DOCSIS 4.0 also supports downloads up to 10Gbps but is capable of significantly faster uploads, up to 6Gbps. The symmetrical, or close, download and upload speed capacity brings cable internet closer to matching the speed potential of fiber-optic internet service. Locating local internet providers DOCSIS 4.0 could pave the way for faster cable plans with faster upload speeds Most cable providers already offer a gigabit plan with maximum speeds of around 940 or 1,000 megabits per second. Astound, Cox, Xfinity and select other cable providers offer download speeds above 1,000Mbps. With DOCSIS 4.0 technology, cable providers can offer even faster speeds using their current cable/fiber hybrid infrastructure. The DOCSIS 4.0 modem notably allows for much quicker upload speeds, which cable providers sorely lack. Upload speeds are more important than you think. Many US households are seeing a rising trend in upstream data or upload speeds. Certain activities, such as using smart home devices and uploading photos and videos to social media, utilize your upstream data. According to CableLabs, DOCSIS 4.0 allows for "an increase in upstream capacity and more options for operators to increase downstream capacities." Still, DOCSIS 3.1 is the current standard for high-speed cable internet If you choose speeds above 1 gig and rent your equipment, you'll receive a modem-router combo that comes with DOCSIS 3.1 built-in, so you don't have to worry about your modem's specifications. Otherwise, if you choose to use your own equipment, you'll want to spend a little extra for a DOCSIS 3.1 modem to take full advantage of the plan's speed potential. What if I don't need gig and multi-gigabit speeds? The speed potential of DOCSIS 3.1 and 4.0 is impressive, but unless you've got a high-speed plan, that may not matter. Suppose your selected plan comes with speeds up to 200Mbps. If you rent from your provider, the modem included with your equipment may be a DOCSIS 3.0 model, which can support your internet connection just fine. If you use your own modem, you probably won't see much of a performance improvement, if any, by purchasing a DOCSIS 3.1 device over a DOCSIS 3.0 one. Considering the price difference and available options between the two, you'd be better off opting for DOCSIS 3.0 on lower-tiered internet plans. A standalone cable modem sits atop a much larger SURFboard eXtreme combo device. Dong Ngo/CNET DOCSIS 3.0 has more, cheaper options DOCSIS 3.0 is the cheaper option when shopping for a modem or modem-router combo. New DOCSIS 3.0 modems can cost between $50 and $150 depending on the device you choose and the source you buy from, but you may be able to score a used device for less than $50. On the other hand, DOCSIS 3.1 modems can easily cost $150 to $250 or higher. Manufacturers like Arris, Asus, Netgear and Motorola have made DOCSIS 3.0 modems for years. These manufacturers make DOCSIS 3.1 modems as well, but you'll likely have fewer options than you would if you were shopping for a DOCSIS 3.0 modem. Is DOCSIS 3.0 outdated? In terms of the latest technology shaping how we get online, yes, DOCSIS 3.0 is sorely outdated. With more and more ISPs rolling out multi-gig plans and the overall trend of heavier internet usage in recent years, according to Open Vault, a DOCSIS 3.0 modem will not support the faster speeds many internet users are turning to. If you don't have a need for speed, you'll most likely be fine with a DOCSIS 3.0 modem, especially if you're trying to save money by avoiding an upgrade. Still, nearly all ISPs support DOCSIS 3.1 and often recommend DOCSIS 3.1 to get the most out of your internet connection. DOCSIS 3.1 is more secure and better for long-term use Any major internet protocol update, like the transition from DOCSIS 3.0 to 3.1, will include improved security features. This typically comes with enhanced encryption, so a DOCSIS 3.1 modem will presumably be better equipped to secure your information. Additionally, the best router and modem combos equipped with DOCSIS 3.1 will also include WPA3, a more advanced router security feature than older modem routers that may come with DOCSIS 3.0 and WPA2. DOCSIS 3.0 was released in 2006, and DOCSIS 3.1 arrived in 2013, which is a long time in the tech world -- long enough for initial security measures to become outdated. Modem manufacturers and ISPs release regular security updates to keep your equipment safe. Still, I would recommend additional security software or a good VPN to help boost your online security, especially when using a DOCSIS 3.0 modem. Considering the increase in home internet speeds and the need for up-to-date security, DOCSIS 3.1 is well on its way to fully replacing DOCSIS 3.0. It hasn't entirely done so, mainly because slower, cheaper cable internet plans can still get by with DOCSIS 3.0 technology. Coming to a home near you: DOCSIS 4.0 DOCSIS 4.0 technology is on the verge of improving cable internet service, but it's not here just yet. Since 2023, Xfinity is the only major cable internet provider to have begun rolling out DOCSIS 4.0 in the country, starting with select service areas in Atlanta, Georgia; Colorado Springs, Colorado and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, if you want to get ahead of the game and purchase a DOCSIS 4.0 modem, you're out of luck. There are currently no DOCSIS 4.0 modems available for retail purchase, at least none I could find from a trusted source. According to a press release from Comcast, Xfinity will continue deploying the 4.0 modem to new areas over the next few years. Bottom line: DOCSIS 3.1 will bring you faster speeds Since DOCSIS 4.0 modems aren't widely available yet, your choice of a new or used device will come down to 3.0 or 3.1 versions. If you sign up for faster speeds, especially those approaching or surpassing 1Gbps, or simply want a device you know you can use for years, a DOCSIS 3.1 modem is the way to go. If you're content with a low- or mid-tier cable internet plan, a DOCSIS 3.0 modem will likely meet all your needs and come at a lower price than a DOCSIS 3.1 device. But chances are you're also paying a premium for those faster speeds, so you might as well equip your home with a device to let you enjoy them. DOCSIS 3.0, 3.1, 4.0 Modem FAQs What does DOCSIS stand for? DOCSIS stands for data over cable service interface specifications. This telecommunications standard allows your modem to deliver internet from your cable provider to your home. There are three different versions of DOCSIS: 3.0, 3.1 and 4.0. Is DOCSIS 3.1 the best cable modem? Most cable modems comply with DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1 technology since the 4.0 modems are not yet available for purchase throughout the country. That said, most cable internet users will likely have the option between 3.0 and 3.1. We recommend going with the 3.1 standard as it supports high-speed internet plans like gigabit and multi-gigabit tiers. Compared to the 3.0 standard, the 3.1 modem will offer better online security.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Spectrum says Los Angeles-area outage was caused by ‘criminal act of vandalism'
An outage that affected customers across the Los Angeles, Van Nuys and surrounding areas on Sunday morning was allegedly caused by what Spectrum described as a 'criminal act of vandalism,' and the company is now offering a reward for help finding the person responsible. 'Early this morning our fiber optic lines were intentionally cut in Los Angeles due to vandalism,' the internet and cable provider shared in a statement. Spectrum did not immediately specify how many customers were affected by the fiber cuts, but said that the temporary outage affected 'some residents and businesses.' According to the company, 'criminal acts of network vandalism' have become increasingly common within the entire telecommunications industry, mostly because of the price increase for precious metals. 'These acts of vandalism are not only a crime, but also affect our customers, local businesses and potentially emergency services,' Spectrum stated. 'Spectrum's fiber lines do not include any copper.' No arrests have been made in connection with Sunday's incident, according to Spectrum, which said it's working with the Los Angeles Police Department in this investigation. Spectrum added that it's offering a reward of up to $25,000 to eligible individuals who provide credible information that directly leads to the arrest of anyone responsible for vandalizing or stealing network infrastructure. To be eligible, the company said the information has to be provided to Spectrum at 833-404-TIPS (8477) and to the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the crime. Spectrum noted that it will prosecute those who intentionally damage its network. In the meantime, Spectrum said its services in the Los Angeles area are being restored and thanked its customers for their patience. In a statement to KTLA on Monday, the cable provider said it was providing a 'full day credit' to customers whose services were impacted, which would appear on their next bill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
